Canberra Raiders boss Don Furner insists coach Ricky Stuart has the full backing of the club and will be given the full term of his three-year deal to turn the embattled club around.

Speaking on Sydney radio station 2SM Super Network, Furner insisted the Raiders are ''still in good shape'' despite a horror season on the field and the continued inabiilty to attract big-name recruits.

Stuart has come under the microscope in his first year at Canberra as the team sits equal last with Cronulla and is staring its first wooden spoon in the face since 1982.

Furner said Stuart is in no danger of leaving before his contract expires.

"I can't stress this enough, nobody has talked about his future, or lack of future at the club.

"Everybody is behind him, there's no question about that.''

Pressed on whether that may change if the Raiders miss finals again next year, Furner said: "He'll have another year to go on his contract and we'll review it then.

"You'd imagine halfway through the third year we'd start talking about it, but not before then.''

When asked if there was a rift, Furner said Stuart and the playing staff remain united.

"Absolutely not, every time a team is losing it's the first thing which gets brought up,'' Furner said.

"We've had some injuries, lost form and confidence and it's up to Rick and the coaching staff to get that back.

"We're a club which does back coaches, there's never been talk of that I've heard of.''

Furner was adamant under-fire skipper Terry Campese would see out the final year of his contract in 2015.

"He's got another year to go on his contract, he's with us next year,'' Furner said.

"Like everybody else we have to turn things around and he knows that, and he's not the only one.''

Furner reassured impatient Raiders fans the club is just as shattered with the lack of success this season.

"You do receive a lot of advice when you're losing, and all I keep saying to them is we're as disappointed as they are,'' Furner said.

"I know we can turn it around, we've been through this situation the last five or six years and have turned it around.

"Certainly the crowds drop off when you're not winning. We have to start winning again and getting them back.''

13 comments so far

Perhaps Furner and Stuart should both go,

Commenter

BL

Location

Sydney

Date and time

August 08, 2014, 10:37PM

You really have to ask yourself who would sign a coach on a big money/long term deal who just won the wooden spoon? and if you look at Ricky's record he's won only 20% of games since 2010.

Also since Ricky has come on board they are struggling to sign players outside of ACT even more.

I can't imagine many players wanting to go to Canberra as it is, then you through in a coach who's got a bad record and it makes it worse.

Why was Ricky signed to begin with? its obviously not because of his record, maybe because he's good mates with people on the board more then anything?

Raiders need a clean out off the field as well if they are serious about going to the top again, until then it will continue to be run like a boys club.

Commenter

Ralph Elliot

Location

Braidwood NSW

Date and time

August 09, 2014, 5:47AM

I'm willing to give Stuart time to turn things around considering what a mess he inherited as far as roster and a culture of mediocrity being acceptable are concerned. But no way should Campese be allowed back in the top grade next year. He can be the highest-paid player in NSW Cup and a warning to future management against ever signing players to such a long term contract ever again. Have a farewell match at the end of this season and go flog some pizzas and your foundation, Campo. You set up your life after footy a long time ago. Time to live it.

Commenter

Face

Location

Palm

Date and time

August 08, 2014, 11:08PM

Uh-oh. Everybody knows what it means to have 'the full support of the board'. And the four words, 'providing we do well', don't bode well when one hand's on the spoon. Will we be reading the same sentiments this time next year? I have my doubts.

Commenter

mutt

Date and time

August 09, 2014, 3:42AM

This team has not had the wooden spoon for years. Ricky Stuart is an appalling coach and well known to many Canberrans for his boorish and arrogant behaviour when he played for the Raiders. My family and I no longer support the Raiders or go to their games and we won't go while he is the coach. If we want to see a long slow train wreck we'll watch a B-grade movie instead. He cannot coach and all those of us who saw and heard about him 'socialising' in the City over the years cannot take him seriously as a role model for players. He was one of many good players for the Raiders, but he really stands alone in his coaching capacity. Raiders, you did Parramatta a big favour, now do yourselves a favour. Or say good-bye to your supporters and your club.

Commenter

Percy

Location

Canberra

Date and time

August 09, 2014, 5:32AM

Great players don't always make great coaches and in Ricky's case he was one the of the best halfs ever but is an average coach at best.Easy to coach sides full of talent like Roosters but the real test is taking poor sides and turning them into competitive winning sides.At least average ex Raider player McFaddon could smile last week as he has turned an easy beat side into a competitive unit that creamed the club who chose Ricky over him as coach?Oh well Furner know best i guess!

Commenter

Jacko

Location

Warriorville

Date and time

August 09, 2014, 6:26AM

Sounds like Rickies gone .

Commenter

Mankad

Location

Up in Palmerland ?

Date and time

August 09, 2014, 6:55AM

Seriously people, stop sticking it to the coach (pun intended) and have a close, hard look at the overpaid, under performing rabble you call a football team.Then ask yourself this question, with the exception of Anthony Milford, why is no other club coming poaching our players, pretty simple answer to that one really, no one wants them - because they are all second rate, part time players who live out of the spotlight of mainstream league and only have a go when it suits them.

Commenter

Bob

Location

CBR

Date and time

August 09, 2014, 7:36AM

Has Don Furner watched a Raiders game this year? Campese has been terrible and is one of the major reasons why we've had such a rubbish season. After 20 rounds he is only getting worse. Surely they can't persist with him for another season Crowds will by down to 2.000 if they do. Sticky to stay but please Terry do us all a favour and find another gig or hang up the boots

Commenter

Geoff

Location

Bruce Stadium

Date and time

August 09, 2014, 7:52AM

What else could the Board say? If they admit that they actually chose him for commercial/sentimental reasons rather than pragmatic coaching ability then they are rightly condemning themselves. The Board has let down the Raiders team and its supporters. Time for some rhetoric cleansing at Raiders HQ. If NRL is to be taken seriously as a 'professional' sport then all those who are involved have to behave professionally. That would involve an independent review of the Football Club's operations and the behaviour and motivation behind the Board's recruitment/retention/attraction/development of coaching and playing staff. Stuart would never have been hired by a more 'professional' Board.